Biarritz recovered some dignity following last weekend's hammering at the hands of Harlequins, beating Heineken Cup new boys Zebre 38-17 on Saturday.

Scrum-half Yann Lesgourgues scored the first of a double in a decisive opening 20 minutes as the hosts, thrashed 40-13 by Quins in their opener, raced into the lead.

Fabien Barcella and Takudzwa Ngwenya also crossed over before Daniel Halangahu and Gonzalo Garcia struck penalties for the visitors to make it 19-9 at the break.

A second Biarritz burst after half-time, that saw Pelu Taele-Pvihi and Lesgourgues score in 10 minutes after the resumption, saw them race out of sight.

Halangahu replied with his third penalty of the game but when Emiliano Caffini was given a yellow card on the hour Arnaud Heguy immediately crossed for his side's sixth. Dries van Schalkwyk grabbed a late consolation for the Italians.